For the past 8 years, EM science classes have been making discoveries about their world through inquiry. Every August, students in the Physical Science and Biology classes ask questions, or identify problems that they would like to investigate, and every April they submit their projects. Do people prefer bottled or tap water? Which Laundry detergent performs the best? How well can different animals find their way out of a maze? These questions and more have been investigated by various students over the years.
The project begins with a thorough explanation of the steps required and examples shown, then the students take over. They are responsible for doing research, making a hypothesis, designing and performing an experiment, and finally analyzing the results. I think this project teaches the students to manage time, and plan ahead, as well as show them the importance of not procrastinating… They know who they are… We also get to see a lot of great collaboration amongst group members and between experimenters and their test subjects.
Science is often thought of as a noun, but we see it as a verb. Science should be something that is actively done, and at EM our students are learning patience and problem solving through science inquiry. So if you run into an EM high school student, ask them about their inquiry project! You just might learn something.
Photo: Taylor Pribyl, a Junior, is a volunteer for Kierra Papik’s project to see if people can taste the difference between 1%, 2%, and Whole milk.